>> from new york, this is "democracy now!" >> we want our children to live in america that is not burdened by debt, weakened by inequality, threatened by the destructive power of a warming planet. >> barack obama has been reelected 44 president of the yen on the states. eturns to the white house with the sweep of the key battleground states including ohio, florida, and pennsylvania. alabama 1303 electoral votes to mitt romney's 235. >> i just called president obama to congratulate him on his victory. his supporters in his campaign also deserve congratulations. i wish all of them well because the democrats also retained control of the senate with several major@ victories elizabn defeating incumbent massachuses senator scott brown.

>> this victory belongs to you. you did this. you did this. you did this. for every family that has been squeezed and hammered, we're going to fight for a level playing field and put people back to work. [applause] >> and we look at ballot initiatives across the country from legalizing marijuana to upholding same-sex marriage. all of that and more coming up. this is "democracy now!," democracynow.org, the war and peace report. i'm amy goodman. president obama has been reelected to a second term with a resounding victory over republican challenger mitt romney. obama ended the night with at least 303 electoral votes, sweeping the critical battleground states of ohio, iowa, wisconsin, pennsylvania,

nevada, and colorado. obama's tally is expected to rise after in florida, were he currently leads romney by over 46,000 votes. in a victory speech from chicago, obama said he returns to the white house with renewed purpose. >> i return to the white house moh determined and more inspired than ever about the future that lies ahead. you elected us to focus on your jobs, not ours. in the coming weeks and months, out and working with leaders of both parties to meet the challenges we can only solve together. reducing our deficit, reforming our tax codes, fixing our immigration system, freeing ourselves from foreign oil. we have more work to do. >> mitt romney won the traditional republican states, but ended up with only one swing state victory, taking north

carolina. after reports that his campaign was questioning the results in ohio, romney finally emerged shortly before 1:00 a.m. eastern standard time to announce he had conceded the race. >> i have just called president obama to congratulate him on his victory. his supporters and his campaign also deserve congratulations. i wish all of them well, particularly, the president, the first lady, and their daughters. this is a time of great challenges for america, and i pray that the president will be successful in guiding our nation. >> president obama will again face a divided congress, with democrats increasing their senate majority by one seat and republicans holding on to control of the house. democrats retained the senate after winning a series of key races in indiana, massachusetts, missouri, connecticut, nevada, montana and other states. in indiana, democratic

representative joe donnelly defeated republican state treasurer richard mourdock, who became famous for suggesting pregnancies resulting from rape were god's will. in virginia, democratic former governor tim kaine beat republican george allen, also a former governor, for thee seat. and know how, democratic senator sherrod brown held on to a senate seat in a campaign that saw outside groups spend tens of millions of dollars to defeat him. in connecticut, democrat chris murphy defeated republican nominee and wrestling magnate linda mcmahon. the senate races saw a series of major victories for democratic women. in one of the most closely watched races nationwide, consumer advocate elizabeth senator scott brown inican@ massachusetts. >> this victory belongs to you. you did this. you did this. you did this. for every f that has been

chipped and squeezed and hammered, we're going to fight for a level playing field, and we're going to put people back to work. [applause] that is what we're goido. >> in missouri, democratic incumbent senator claire mccaskill held on to receive, defeating republican challenger todd akin. the race drew national attention after congress member a can claimed women are able to suppress pregnancy in instances rape." mccaskill celebrated with supporters shortly after the concession. >> things do not always turn out the way you think they're going to. i just called clare mccaskill @and gave her congratulations because the way the numbers are looking, we lost this race. >> and all said it's over, it's done, it is too red.

there is no way that clare mccaskill can survive. well, you know what happened? you proved them wrong. but in wisconsin, democratic congressmember tammy baldwin defeated republican tommy thompson in wisconsin senate race, becoming the first openly gay u.s. senator. election day also saw voters decide on a series of landmark ballot initiatives to rewrite state laws. advocates of marriage equality ended tuesday with four out of four victories, as voters legalized same-sex marriage in maine and maryland, upholding same-sex marri washington state and defeating a measure to ban same-sex marriage in minnesota. in addition to same-sex marriage, maryland voters also affirmed the dream act, allowing undocumented immigrants to receive in-state tuition. in florida, voters defeated a

measure that called for amending the state constitution to restrict abortion rights and bar public funds from funding abortions. in california, voters defeated ballot measures to repeal the death penalty and another that would have required labeling of genetically modified foods. a separate measure to ease penalties for nonviolent offenses under california's three strikes law was approved. california voters rejected measure that would have curbed the political influence of unions. in montana, voters overwhelmingly approved a measure that would limit corporate spending on elections while colorado voters also resoundingly approved a measure @acking a constitutional amendment that would call for the same. in a historic vote, voters in colorado and washington state have legalized marijuana for recreational use, becoming the first u.s. states to do so and setting up a potential clash with the federal government.

tuesday's elections are reports of widespread voting issues ranging from a voter machine malfunctions to up lines to a poll watcher challenges and confusion over voter id laws that have been weakened or blocked. florida voters waited up to seven hours to cast their ballots. according to voting rights watch in ohio, a number of residents in a predominately black cincinnati suburb of force forced to cast provisional ballots because records incorrectly showed they had already submitted an absentee ballot. pennsylvania emerged as a hotbed of election chaos after a viral video showed a voting machine switching and obama vote in favor of ro pennsylvania also saw widespread confusion over voter identification with reports of poll workers demanding id, even though a court blocked the state's voter id law from taking effect before the election. votihts advocates say they suspect it in unreported purge of voters in major urban

areas of pennsylvania after reports dozens of voters were told they were not registered. according to the election protection coalition, which posted issues, reports from virginia of long lines and machine switching votes in favor of romney. one week after superstorm sandy, new jersey saw its share problems with reports of technical malfunctions, poll workers army demanding id from voters. those are some of the headlines. this is "democracy now!," democracynow.org, the war and peace report. i'm amy goodman. president obama has been reelected to a second term with a resounding victory@ over republican challenger mitt romney. by the end up tuesday night, obama 150% of the popular vote, securing 303 electoral votes to romney's 206. obama nearly swept all of the key battleground states, taking ohio, virginia, florida,

pennsylvania, nevada, iowa, wisconsin, colorado, and in hampshire. there were only two states president obama won in 2008 but lost in 2012 -- north carolina diana. all the major networks began calling the election for obama at 11:20 p.m. eastern, romney did not publicly concede until nearly 1:00 a.m. president obama spoke close to 2:00 a.m. eastern time, addressing thousands of cheering supporters at mccormick place in chicago. >> i know that political campaigns and sometimes seem small, even silly. and that provides plenty of fodder for the cynics who tell us that politics, nothing more than a contest of egos. or the demand a special interests. but if you ever get the chance to talk to folks who turn out at rallies and crowded along the

rope line in high school gym or saw folks working late at a campaign office in some tiny county far away from home, you'll discover something else. determination in the voice of a young field organizer who is working his way through college and wants to make sure every child has the same opportunity. [applause] you will hear the pride in the voice of a volunteer who is going door-to-door because her brother was finally hired with a local auto plant added another shift. [applause] the deep patriotism in the voice of a military spouse who is working the phones late at night to make sure that no one who fights for this country ever has to fight for a job roof over their head when they come home.

[applause] that is why we do this. that is what politics can be. that is why elections matter. it's not small, it's big. it's important. democracy in a nation of 300 million can be noisy and messy and complicated. we have our own opinions. each of us has deeply held beliefs. and when we go through tough times, when we make big decisions as a country, it necessarily stirs passions, stirs up controversy. that won't change after tonight. and it should not. these arguments we have bahrain

mark of our liberty. we can never forget that as we speak, people in distant nations are risking their lives right now just for a chance to argue about the issues that matter.@ the chance to cast their ballots like we did today. [applause] but despite all of our differences, most of us share certain hopes for america's future. we want our kids to grow up in a country where they have access to the best schools in the best teachers. [applause] a country that lives up to its legacy as the global leader in technology and discovery and innovation with all the good jobs and new businesses that follow. we want our children to live in an america that isn't burdened by debt. that isn't weakened by

inequality. that isn't threatened by the destructive power of a warming planet. [applause] we want to on a country that's safe and respected and admired around the world. a nation that has -- that's defended by the strongest military on earth and the best troops this world has ever known. [applause] but also a country that moves with confidence beyond this time of war to shape a peace that is built on the promise of freedom and dignity for every human being. we believe in a generous america. in a compassionate america. in a tolerant america. open to the dreams of an immigrant's daughter who studies

in our schools and pledges to our flag. [applause] to the young boy on the south side of chicago who sees the light beyond the nearest street corner. [applause] to the furniture worker's child in north carolina who wants to become a doctor or a scientist. an engineer or an entrepreneur. a diplomat or even a president. >> president obama speaking at his re-election@tory rally early this morning. he was addressing thousands of cheering supporters at mccormick place in chicago. mitt romney briefly addressed supporters in boston. >> the nation, as you know, as in the critical point. @at a time like this, we cannot risk political posturing. our leaders have to reach across the aisles to do the people's work. and we citizens also have to rise to the occasion. with the to our teachers and

professors, counting on you not children with a passion forur@ learning and discovery. we look to our pastors and priests and rabbis and counselors of all kinds to testify of the enduring principles upon which our society is built. honesty, charity, integrity, and family.@ we look to our parents. everything depends on the success of our homes. with a to job creators of all kinds. we're counting on you to invest, to hire, to step forward. with the to democrats and republicans and government at all levels to put the people before the politics. i believe in america. i believe in the people of america. [applause]

i ran for office because i am concerned about america. this election is over, but our principles endure. i believe the principles upon which this nation was founded are the only sure guide to a resurgenthe economy and renewed greatness. like so many of you, paul and i have left everything on the field. we have given all to this campaign. [applause] i so wish i had been able to fulfill your hopes to lead the country a different direction, but the nation chose another leader. ann and i join with you to earnestly pray for him in this great nation. >> the democrats also retained

control of the senate approved in massachusetts, elizabeth warren defeated incumbent massachusetts republican senator scott brown. missouri senator claire mccaskill held off tea party favorite todd akin, who stirred controversy by saying women's bodies could ward off pregnancy in cases of what he called "legitimate rape." in indiana, democrat joe donnelly defeated another tea party favorite, richard mourdock, to fill the seat of retiring republican senator@ richard lugar's sea. in the wisconsin senate race, democratic congresswoman tammy baldwin defeated former governor tommy thompson, making baldwin the first openly gay senator in u.s. history. in connecticut, pro wrestling magnate and republican linda mcmahon lost to congress member chris murphy, despite spending nearly $100 million running for office. in maine, former governor angus king, an independent, won a three-way contest for the senate seat of retiring republican olympia snowe. king is expected to caucus with

democrats. while the democrats retained control the senate, republicans remain in control of the 435- member house in part thanks to redistricting. florida had two closely watched house races. nbc is projecting republican congress member allen west has lost a close race with challenger patrick murphy, that west has refused to concede so far. former democratic congressmember after one house term, has won in a newly created orlando-area district. in minnesota, republican former presidential candidate michele bachmann hung on to her house seat by narrowly defeating challenger jim graves. with 98% of precincts reporting, she led him by just over 3000 votes out of nearly 350,000 votes cast. this is "democracy now!," democracynow.org, the war and peace report. i'm amy goodman. when we come back, we will talk

about the significance of the elections, the presidential, senate, and congressional levels. we will talk about historic ballot initiatives around the country. stay with us. ♪ [music break]

>> this is "democracy now!," democracynow.org, the war and peace report. @'m amy goodman. tuesday night, president obama won a second term in office. but continue our coverage of the presidential election by hosting a roundtable discussion. we're joined by two guests, ben jealous, president an ceo of naacp, and laura flanders author of many books including, "bushwomen: how they won the white house for their man."

we welcome you both to "democracy now!" you're with us last night in a marathon election coverage. >> this is a great day for our democracy. we saw the vote attacked with more ferocity this year t have seen in a very long time. more states pass more laws, pushing more voters out of the ballot box in the past year than we have seen in the year in the past century. so people really triumphed because they took their vote seriously and took it seriously when it counted, months ago, when we had to push the owners to be toast these bills, doj to invalidate laws, had to file lawsuits and get the job done. but they stayed engaged and turned out in their communities. rcame all sorts of myths. people sing black votes would not -- people saying that the

black vote lack enthusiasm rid people across this country did great work. never before and movementse@ really win incredible victories. the fact that all of this happened to the defendant marriage equality and four of four states last night. >> it turns out women's bodies can magically shut down under attack. they can shut down radical misogynistic attacks. that is what we saw last night. the senate will be returning with binders full on. 19 women in the senate, the largest number ever, with four new women senators returning were going to the senate, including tammy baldwin in wisconsin, defeating thomas thompson. elizabeth warren defeating scott brown bread at one point, a

spear headed for the tea party, became a one-timer. up from the bottom set of victories. long shot challenges. four years ago we were talking about a long-shot candidate for president, and this time, long shot movement victories like ben talking about, fighting back on voting rights. movement victories, fighting back extraordinary money. and people voting against the odds on the wing and a prayer, a prayer that this boat would make a difference. we saw them go out into the wet, cold, rainy night in new york city and around this region. hurricane sandy survivors living there cold, dark comes in going out into the cold, dark streets to cas ballot. what happens now is that we hold

those hopes and dreams precious, and force our politicians to live up to the extraordinary courage and organizing bravery and smarts that people showed last night. >> i want to play a comment made by bill o'reilly being interviewed on fox news last night. >> so what is your sense of the evening? you look at the exit polls -- >> if mitt romney loses inhio , the president is reelected. >> how do you think we got to that point? president obama's approval ratings were so low, and this is a hypothetical, we do not even know who is winning never mind who won, but how do you think it got this tide? but the demographics are changing. it is not a traditional america anymore. there are 50% of the voting public who want stuff. they want things. who was going to give them things? president obama. he knows it and he ran on it.

whereby 20 years ago, president obama would have been defeated by an establishment candidah like mitt romney. the white establishment is now the minority. the voters, many of them, feel the economic system is stacked against them and they want stuff. you'll see a tremendous hispanic vote for president obama. all for coming black vote for president obama. and women will probably break president obama's way. people feel they are entitled to things, and which candidate between the two is going to give them things? >> that was bill o'reilly. ben jealous? >> when you look at those comments, there tinge with everything that is sad about the history of our country. his disdain for women, part of

the group that just once stuff. his disdain for people of all colors except for his own. uating traditional with oppression that is really what he is talking about. based on gender oppression, race oppression, the oppression of people of different sexual orientations than his own. bill o'reilly has moments. i have witnessed a couple when he is lucid and actually the recognize what this country really is. last night, and for shalit, he saw -- unfortunate his group's four equation for success will not guarantee that. he is going to have to change his game and hopefully, change his tune. >> the demographic shift is talking about is very real. in 1992, republican candidate winning six of 10 white votes could have carried the presidency. it did not happen last night,

although, rounded up the same portion of white voters. in this country, in 2012, cannot win the presidency with white male voters@ as your home demographic. you cannot do it. it is not about stuff, the standing. the history of america has been about those who have been marginalized, fighting for standing in this country as equal persons, equal persons under the law and under a code of morality that embraces us all, and in a society that is a society of caring, mutual aid, and assistance. this fights of this election. who has standing in this election? was all the crazy upside-down magical thinking that the gop persuaded even many in the media to go along with that white men would be enough to win the presidency unemployment would -- unemployed would plan barack obama and women would embrace a return to second-class citizenship.

none of it was true. look at the states that won for mitt romney -- the great plains states, mountain states. what do they have in common? relatively low unemployment rates. those who are hurting in this country overwhelmingly blamed the record of george bush, according to exit polls. they did not go about this baloney of the bailouts. we saw illusion after illusion that americans do not vote their self-interest, as people did actually vote their self interest. they voted for a society that does believe in some social safety net and that believes in the dream, which is we organize and push and create a viable, -- political constituency, you can be heard in this country. >> a poll released on tuesday,

as an alternative to the exit polls, foundpresident obama had 175% of latino voters nationwide wall exit polls found him with around 70% of latino support. exit polls placed romney at winning 29% of the latino vote, lower than republican candidates received in 2008, 2004, and 2000. mitt romney coining the term "self supporting" i think was problematic for him. >> that is just what happened. bill o'reilly is right, we do what stuff. it is the stuff of freedom, equality, inclusion. one nation under god, indivisible with -- we want all of tha we deserve that stop because that is what this country is supposed to be about. >> sheriff arpaio was reelected. >> he will be in his own jail within four years.

>> let's be clear, the history of america isistory of having to fight really, really hard for standing. fights that have been waged by movements from the labor mission, the women's movement, the civil rights movement. one thing we saw yesterday th i would love to talk about more is the extraordinary organizing of the naacp with lgbt groups, unions, with women's organizations, with latino and immigrant rights groups who fought about the tremendous odds, but it is not just by magic this happen. this was strong organizing, legal challenges, with people refusing to give up. with organizations like color change targeting the corporate sponsors of conservative groups like alec. they used tools at every angle. strategy is paying off by movements to support a democratic majority. we need that democratic

majorityke the leadership from the movement groups and set some priorities that will change the economics. >> take as and accept, not steel critics of want to go to democrat elizabeth warren beating scott brown in massachusetts senate race. she's a harvard law professor was promised to fight for struggling middle class and not create the consumer financial protection bureau. this is part of her victory speech last night. >> for every family that has been chipped and squeezed and hammered, we are going to fight for a level playing field in america and to put people back to work. [applause] that is what we are going to do. yes. yes. to all the small-business owners who are tired of a system rigged against them, we're going to hold the big guys accountable.

to all the seniors who deserve to retire with the security they aren't, we are going to make sure your medicare and social security benefits are protected @nd that millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share. [applause] that's right. and to all the young people who did everything right and are drowning in debt, we're going to invest in you. [applause] to all of the service members and their families who have fought so hard for us, we are going to fight for you. that's right. that's right.

that's right. >> we love you! >> i love you. and to all the women across massachusetts -- [applause] to ap women across massachusetts who are working or tails off, you better believe we're going to fight for equal pay. >> that was senator elect elizabeth warren in massachusetts, then there is the tammy tommy race that close watched senate race in wisconsin. democratic congressmember tammy baldwin making history on two

different counts tuesday night when she beat former wisconsin governor tommy thompson. tammy baldwin becomes the first wisconsin woman elected to the u.s. senate and the country's first openly gay senator. >> i am well aware that i will have the honor to be wisconsin's first woman u.s. senator. [applause] and i am well be the first openly gay member -- [applause]

>> tammy1 tammy! tammy! tammy! >> but i did not run -- i did not run to make history. i ran to make a difference. a difference in the lives of families struggling to find work and pay the bills. a difference in the lives of students worried about that -- debt. and seniors worried about their retirement security. [applause]

a difference in the lives of veterans who fought for us and need someone fighting for them and their families. [applause] a difference in the lives of on to canoers -- entreprenerus and those trying to find economic security. but in choosing me to tackle those challenges, the people of wisconsin have made history. >> that was tammy baldwin, the new senator elect from wisconsin, taking the seat of her poll who is retiring. 19 women senators now. one of them are republican, from nebraska, who defeated bob

kerrey. @she is deb fisher from nebrask. on the issue of elizabeth warren, she now becomes the senator in the senate refused to confirm her as head of the er financial protection bureau because of their involvement with the banks. what does this mean for her to become a senator and where does she go with the banks? >> she will really- quite frankly, she will extend the tradition of barney frank, ted kennedy as great fighters from massachusetts who are willing to go out and take risks, the whole the financial industry accountable. right now if i was running at pailin in corp., i would be very worried. this is someone who wants to kill payday loans -- and we should, because it is used three. she is someone who i think you'll see

force in her party and, as close to filling the void left by ted kennedy. no one can do that, but she comes as close as any one person can. she comes in with people of all races from this country and women who really want to see her do well, but a country yearning for some of the take on the banks who is not afraid. >> and the race is not leveled against her which was insane and perverse. >> scott brown said she was native american come into said, a mother told me that he would not let go of this. >> people doing the tomahawk thing. >> his staffers. >> yes. it is so disrespectful. and of plans racial hatred, one of the oldest in our country. it is desperate. use on with bill o'reilly earlier. don't use all this with bill o'reillyer.

can we have a more expensive nation? eople like bill o'reilly -- equa respectable terms, people want to link up. inclusive but not san non- traditional whites. >> elizabeth warren, the irony was she came to prominence fighting big money of the power of big banks and now is going to come to the senat as a senate candidate who raised more money than any other in american history. that's what she does not feel beholden to her big voters. i hope she will not. and the question of tammy baldwin in the politics or talking about, we often have heard an american and a tree that one must suppress identity politics organizing in favor of good class mainstream politics. if we had not built movements to defend against bigotry, against

women, against people of color, against lgbt people, if we did not have identity politics movements in this country, we would have seen tammy baldwin have no chance of defeating,@ thompson. the fact she won shows these two issues, these movements got to work in lock step. that is what happened in wisconsin. >> let's go to the issue progressive politics. i want to play excerpts from our election special last night, the secret drone war expanding and a president obama. jeremy scahill asked congressmember dennis kucinich on our show about the case of anwar awlaki, an american citizen killed by u.s. drone strikes in yemen last >> i just want to ask you, i was talking about you earlier and saying with the loss of you are with you nodding in the house anymore, they're basically is that another democrat who filled the space needed, particularly on civil liberties issue, foreign-policy issues. i was just remembering the last

time i visited in washington, we were talking about how you put forward this bill after it became clear that president obama had authorized the killing of a u.s. citizen anwar awlaki, who had not been charged with any crime or indicted with any crime -- well before he was killed. he was killed in a drone strike in september 2011. along with another u.s. citizen, samir khan, whose family had been told by the fbi he had not committed any crimes, then two weeks later, awlaki's 16-year- old son was killed while having dinner with his teenage cousins and friends. there's been no explanation as to why that young american citizen was killed in this drone strike. yet obama authorizing drone strikes to killed three u.s. citizens in two weeks. the year before this happened, you put forward legislation in the co that did not mention al-awlaki's by name, but said the president did not have the right to unilaterally

authorized the assassination of the u.s. citizen without due process, only six of your colleagues sign on to that legislation. to me, that is one of the sort of in during symbols of your legacy in congress. the fact you're one of only half a dozen members of congress, not a single senator, to simply state on the record that american citizens have the right not to be assassinated by their own government without due process. what -- what is your sense of how much damage this administration has done to those core causes you fall for for so long? but first of all, thank you. secondly, it is amazing that we are in america where we have to defend the rights of americans to be free from assassination by their own country, to be free from extrajudicial killing@ mother and government -- by their own government.

i suspect the obama administration will continue their policies of drone strikes, which have killed hundreds of innocent people, thousands of individuals were just determined to be combatants often because they happen to be the wrong page. this is repugnance. it is morallyved, this drone strike. and whether you are a democrat or republican, it does not matter. it is about what kind of human beings we are. when politics drums morality, we are in b trouble. i have no problem whatsoever in challenging this administration, the bush administration, the clinton a ministration or any other ministration whenever i fell the honor of our country, the heart of our country was at risk. @the drone situation is abominable. by the way, i'll have a briefing in washington on divorce 16 on

the drone policies. we will be bringing in some of the top people in the world who have had something to say about this. they could be considered experts on civil liberties and other matters. but our country is changing. think about this. drones are being offered and used domestically. how long is it before some loca@ police department uses a drum to intercept and kill a suspect? and when that becomes commonplace. it is happening now overseas. we're committing acts of war and other countries without congress's knowledge or consent. we have a problem here. no matter who wins here, we have a problem. >> that is outgoing congressmember dennis kucinich of cleveland, ohio. he lost in a challenge to marcy kaptur when there were redistricting. marcy kaptur won last night in ohio, beating joe the plumber.

this is "democracy now!," democracynow.org, the war and peace report. i'm amy goodman. when we come back, we will stay withealous of the naacp and journalist laura flanders, but we will talk about the ballot initiatives around the country and progressive politics. stay with us. ♪ [music break]

>> this is "democracy now!," democracynow.org, the war and peace report. i'm amy goodman. it is the morning after. while much attention was fixed on the presidential race, tuesday's election saw voters decide on a series of landmark

ballot initiatives at the state level. advocates of marriage equality had four of four victories, same-sex marriage upheld in washington to state. maryland voters affirmed the dream act, allowing undocumented immigrants to receive in-state tuition while minnesota's rejected a constitutional amendment that have required a photo id to vote. in montana, voters overwhelmingly approved a measure that would limit corporate spending on elections what colorado voters resoundingly approved a measure backing a constitutional amendment that would call for the same breed in a historic move, voters in colorado and washington state have legalized marijuana for recreational use, becoming the first states to do so. in california, voters defeated a ballot measure to repeal the death penalty and another that would require labeling of genetically modified foods. a separate measure to ease penalties for nonviolent offenses under california's three strikes law was approved.

voters also rick ejected the political influence of unions. the -- california voters also rejected the political influenc@ of unions. we're joined by justine sarver in washington, d.c., executive director of the ballot initiative strategy center. we also have laura flanders and ben jealous with us. justine sarver, lay outhe initiatives from around the country. >> thank you. good morning and thank you for having me bring it became a great summary. i think that the best thing about last night was we are seeing what w them all along is that this country is changing and voters made great decisions last night. what a historic evening for the right of all loving couples to marry. s an amazing, amazing victory and the movement for the freedom to marry. but at the same time, to be able

to say that we ended a two-year period with voters rejecting those voter restriction loss we have seen across the country. we cannot be more thrilled. i was just going to bring up the rejection of the restrictions on women's health in florida. last year, we saw mississippi project a personhood amendment. in florida, again, people voted to protect women's health. >> on the issue of same-sex very significant and lauraethin@ alluded to this, the issue for fighting hard in maryland and other places on the issue of same-sex marriage, naacp, for example. yet changed your position? what we took a national position. we fought on the rights in

california, we sued the state with a bunch of others tried to invalidate it. only one state in the midwest with ever taken, if you will, a signed contract where we are now we saw what happened in north carolina late last spring with actually coated discrimination into the state constitution. state-by-state, the deal with it nationally. we had the issue of marriage equality itself as steak and also a 100-year tradition in this country using constitutions to expand rights, to eviscerate discrimination. we are invested in both. we dug down deep. frankly, we were way out in maryland where a lot of national groups were willing to write off that race. we said, no, we can do this. we moved the black community 15% to 20% within two weeks and we can actually get this done.

you saw groups like the human rights campaign where we said, we're going to take real risks. he sought other groups like freedom to marry and other groups. chad griffin really came in brand new to hrc and decided to take a big risk, that the rest of their movement was flirting with writing off. this was a big moment visionary leadership. >> the stark nature of the two votes on the war on drugs and marijuana, absolutely historic. but these votes in maryland, maine, and washington on marriage equality, the first time ever you had voters affirmatively approve equality. again, this is and up from below victory. 10 years ago, 15 years ago, 20 years ago no one would have thought marriage equality was a winning issue.

political leaders in this country, even movement leaders, ran a mile. this issue has been pushed by grass-roots folks, driven by their families. i have to say, and excited about the freedom to marry, but we also need to not to marry and not have our identity as persons -- >> folks have won the right for gay divorces. but the initiative should be a model for all movements. when you look at the lgbt task force,om to marry, human rights campaign, when you look at all the other groups that have worked -- a black lgbt group -- all of them have worked together to win victories in a way that people thought was not possible. minnesota, its politics are interesting. when it comes to issues of inclusion, the racial disparities are so deeply published the fact they defended marriage equality there is --

@>> you lost the death penalty initiative in california, which a lot of people have organized around. >> but we also saw that we could come -- the line >> overturn the death penalty. >> that's right. it came closer than many people thought was possible. this raises the question whether or not when it comes to the doctrine of life, are they willing to go as far in the death penalty as they are in trying to end abortion? y're really willing to die in on the issue of the death penalty, then we could get rid of this much quicker. that is sort of what was not talked about in california. they held back more than they should have. we hope they'll not take a hard look -- we hope it will look at r responsibility to get this country beyond a punishment that every pope has support. in minnesota, we defeated strict photo id on the ballot. that is very important because

it sends a signal to those folks who have invested a@ lot of mony in vote suppression, maybe they should start invest in tried along with people rather than try to take away their votes. >> justine sarver, talk about the amount of money poured into ballot initiatives around the country like defeating the gmo ballot initiative a proposition in california, to label genetically modified foods. >> this was a very expensive election bid just like candidate elections, we are seeing really, ballot measures.nts going into@ and so once all of the spending is talent across the country, we may see upwards of $1 billion having been spent on ballot measures. in california, $350 million alone. we have seen a lot of corporate influence rising their spin it amounts to less spending

amounts and buy policy on th ballot. in many cases, voters have been smart enough not to take the television ads and make up their own minds. >> i want in on the question of progressive politics. president obama, first african- american elected in history now reelected. your president obama presiding over the longest war in history and afghanistan, as glen the drone war, providing over -- presiding over more deportations, among other issues. where the plan to work in these next four years? what does this mean to you and the fact the other third party candidates were so locked out of any mainstream dis? >> there is simply no way for this nation to addressed the economic crisis without addressing its global role and its imperial reach

internationally [captioning made possible by democracy now!] . . they're connected, related. people have to be in the streets and the question about economic crisis, but it has to be connected to a shift in our internationala, and a shift in our civil liberties agenda. we need to talk about the voting rights issues that the administration is going to be so proud of having overcome as constitutional rights issues, civil liberties issues. >> ben jealous did they take on president obama and his first term? >> you are going to see folks come together. to his ago, we pull together a group called one nation where we pull together for people across the left, even from the center, got them to one table.

the machinists and environmentalist. we said, we're going to work together for jobs, for justice, were together for basic rights. you have seen the leadership and many of those organizations keep on strategizing. that is what makes the whole marriage equality fight possible, what makes it possible to bring 70,000 people [indiscernible] gay and lesbian groups. 55,000 more people more than we thought would show up. we will be more confrontational. >> we have to leave it there. democracy now! is looking for feedback from people who appreciate the c captioning. e-mail your comments to outreach@democracynow.org or mail them to democracy now! p.o. box 693 new york, new york 10013. [captioning made possible by democracy now!]

tavis: good evening. selection ninth 2012 may be a long night as this breeze came selection ninth 2012 may be a long night as this breeze came down to the wire on